U.S. patent application number 13/558492 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for method and apparatus for data communication in wireless power transmission.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Jin Sung CHOI, Young Tack HONG, Hyeong Seok JANG, Dong Zo KIM, Ki Young KIM, Nam Yun KIM, Sang Wook KWON, Wang Sang LEE, Eun Seok PARK, Yun Kwon PARK, Young Ho RYU, Chang Wook YOON, Jong Won YU. Invention is credited to Jin Sung CHOI, Young Tack HONG, Hyeong Seok JANG, Dong Zo KIM, Ki Young KIM, Nam Yun KIM, Sang Wook KWON, Wang Sang LEE, Eun Seok PARK, Yun Kwon PARK, Young Ho RYU, Chang Wook YOON, Jong Won YU.
Application Number | 20130130621 13/558492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48427399 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130130621 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Dong Zo ; et
al. |
May 23, 2013 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DATA COMMUNICATION IN WIRELESS POWER
TRANSMISSION
Abstract
A method and apparatus for data communication in wireless power
transmission are provided. A wireless power transmitter includes a
resonance antenna configured to wirelessly transmit a power to a
wireless power receiver, and receive a signal from the wireless
power receiver, the signal including a sub-carrier. The wireless
power transmitter further includes a controller configured to
receive the signal from the resonance antenna, and receive data
from the wireless power receiver based on the sub-carrier.
Inventors: |
KIM; Dong Zo; (Yongin-si,
KR) ; KWON; Sang Wook; (Seongnam-si, KR) ;
KIM; Ki Young; (Yongin-si, KR) ; KIM; Nam Yun;
(Seoul, KR) ; PARK; Yun Kwon; (Dongducheon-si,
KR) ; PARK; Eun Seok; (Yongin-si, KR) ; RYU;
Young Ho; (Yongin-si, KR) ; HONG; Young Tack;
(Seongnam-si, KR) ; CHOI; Jin Sung; (Gimpo-si,
KR) ; YOON; Chang Wook; (Seoul, KR) ; YU; Jong
Won; (Daejeon, KR) ; LEE; Wang Sang; (Daejeon,
KR) ; JANG; Hyeong Seok; (Daejeon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KIM; Dong Zo
KWON; Sang Wook
KIM; Ki Young
KIM; Nam Yun
PARK; Yun Kwon
PARK; Eun Seok
RYU; Young Ho
HONG; Young Tack
CHOI; Jin Sung
YOON; Chang Wook
YU; Jong Won
LEE; Wang Sang
JANG; Hyeong Seok |
Yongin-si
Seongnam-si
Yongin-si
Seoul
Dongducheon-si
Yongin-si
Yongin-si
Seongnam-si
Gimpo-si
Seoul
Daejeon
Daejeon
Daejeon |
|
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
48427399 |
Appl. No.: |
13/558492 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 5/0037 20130101;
H04B 5/0031 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/39 |
International
Class: |
H04B 7/24 20060101
H04B007/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 17, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0120416 |
Claims
1. A wireless power transmitter comprising: a resonance antenna
configured to wirelessly transmit a power to a wireless power
receiver, and receive a signal from the wireless power receiver,
the signal comprising a sub-carrier; and a controller configured to
receive the signal from the resonance antenna, and receive data
from the wireless power receiver based on the sub-carrier.
2. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the data
comprises in-band communication data for in-band communication
between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power
receiver.
3. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the
controller is further configured to: detect an envelope of the
sub-carrier, the envelope comprising logical values `1` and `0`;
and receive the data from the wireless power receiver based on the
logical values `1` and `0`.
4. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the
controller is further configured to: detect another wireless power
receiver; and allocate, to the other wireless power receiver, a
non-allocated sub-carrier among sub-carriers.
5. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the
controller is further configured to: detect another wireless power
receiver; and allocate, to the other wireless power receiver, an
allocated sub-carrier among sub-carriers, and a time slot.
6. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein: the
controller is further configured to transmit data to the resonance
antenna; and the resonance antenna is further configured to
transmit the data to the wireless power receiver using the
sub-carrier.
7. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the
controller is further configured to: increase and reduce a number
of sub-carriers allocated to the wireless power receiver based on
an environment of the wireless power transmitter and the wireless
power receiver; and adjust allocation of the sub-carriers to the
wireless power receiver based on the number of the
sub-carriers.
8. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, further comprising: a
detector configured to receive the signal from the resonance
antenna, and remove a main carrier from the signal to demodulate
the signal; and a band-pass filter unit configured to extract the
sub-carrier from the demodulated signal.
9. The wireless power transmitter of claim 8, wherein the band-pass
filter unit comprises a band-pass filter configured to extract the
sub-carrier from the demodulated signal through filtering.
10. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein: the
sub-carrier comprises a time slot; and the controller is further
configured to receive the data from the wireless power receiver
based on the sub-carrier and the time slot.
11. A wireless power receiver comprising: a resonance antenna
configured to wirelessly receive a power from a wireless power
transmitter; a controller configured to generate a communication
signal comprising data to be transmitted to the wireless power
transmitter; and a load modulator configured to receive the
communication signal from the controller, and modulate a load of
the wireless power receiver to generate an output signal based on
the communication signal, the output signal comprising a
sub-carrier allocated to the wireless power receiver, wherein the
resonance antenna is further configured to receive the output
signal from the load modulator, and transmit the output signal to
the wireless power transmitter using the sub-carrier.
12. The wireless power receiver of claim 11, wherein: the resonance
antenna is further configured to receive a power and data
(power/data) signal from the wireless power transmitter; the
wireless power receiver further comprises a detector configured to
receive the power/data signal from the resonance antenna and remove
a main carrier from the power/data signal to demodulate the
power/data signal, and a band-pass filter unit configured to
extract another sub-carrier allocated to the wireless power
receiver from the demodulated power/data signal; and the controller
is further configured to detect an envelope of the other
sub-carrier, the envelope comprising logical values `1` and `0`,
and recognize data from the wireless power transmitter based on the
logical values `1` and `0`.
13. The wireless power receiver of claim 12, wherein the band-pass
filter unit comprises a band-pass filter, configured to extract the
other sub-carrier.
14. The wireless power receiver of claim 11, wherein: the
sub-carrier comprises a time slot allocated to the wireless power
receiver; and the resonance antenna is further configured to
transmit the output signal to the wireless power transmitter using
the sub-carrier and the time slot.
15. A data communication method comprising: detecting a wireless
power receiver; allocating, to the wireless power receiver, a
frequency channel among frequency channels; transmitting a power to
the wireless power receiver; and performing data communication with
the wireless power receiver using the frequency channel.
16. The data communication method of claim 15, further comprising:
determining whether the wireless power receiver is completely
charged based on the data communication; recovering the frequency
channel when the wireless power receiver is completely charged; and
interrupting the transmitting of the power to the wireless power
receiver when the wireless power receiver is completely
charged.
17. The data communication method of claim 15, further comprising:
detecting another wireless power receiver; determining whether all
of the frequency channels are allocated; and allocating, to the
other wireless power receiver, a non-allocated frequency channel
among the frequency channels if all of the frequency channels are
not allocated.
18. The data communication method of claim 17, further comprising:
distributing, to the other wireless power receiver, an allocated
frequency channel among the frequency channels based on a
time-division of the frequency channel if all of the frequency
channels are allocated.
19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a
program comprising instructions to cause a computer to implement
the method of claim 15.
20. A data transmission method comprising: generating a
communication signal comprising data to be transmitted to a
wireless power transmitter; and generating an output signal based
on the communication signal, the output signal comprising a
sub-carrier allocated to a wireless power receiver; and
transmitting the output signal to the wireless power transmitter
using the sub-carrier.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0120416,
filed on Nov. 17, 2011, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office,
the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference
for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The following description relates to a method and apparatus
for data communication in wireless power transmission.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] A wireless power refers to energy transferred from a
wireless power transmitter to a wireless power receiver through
magnetic coupling. Accordingly, a wireless power transmission and
charging system includes a source device and a target device. The
source device wirelessly transmits a power, and the target device
wirelessly receives the power. The source device may be referred to
as a wireless power transmitter, and the target device may be
referred to as a wireless power receiver.
[0006] The source device includes a source resonator, and the
target device includes a target resonator. Magnetic coupling or
resonance coupling is formed between the source resonator and the
target resonator.
[0007] A single source device may transmit power to a plurality of
target devices. When the plurality of target devices simultaneously
approach a source resonator of the source device, or the plurality
of target devices exist within a range of the source resonator, and
when a power is supplied to the source device, data collision may
occur due to the plurality of target devices during an operation
for initial connection with the source device. Accordingly, a
charging operation of the plurality of target devices may not be
performed.
SUMMARY
[0008] In one general aspect, there is provided a wireless power
transmitter including a resonance antenna configured to wirelessly
transmit a power to a wireless power receiver, and receive a signal
from the wireless power receiver, the signal including a
sub-carrier. The wireless power transmitter further includes a
controller configured to receive the signal from the resonance
antenna, and receive data from the wireless power receiver based on
the sub-carrier.
[0009] The data includes in-band communication data for in-band
communication between the wireless power transmitter and the
wireless power receiver.
[0010] The controller is further configured to detect an envelope
of the sub-carrier, the envelope including logical values `1` and
`0`. The controller is further configured to receive the data from
the wireless power receiver based on the logical values `1` and
`0`.
[0011] The controller is further configured to detect another
wireless power receiver. The controller is further configured to
allocate, to the other wireless power receiver, a non-allocated
sub-carrier among sub-carriers.
[0012] The controller is further configured to detect another
wireless power receiver. The controller is further configured to
allocate, to the other wireless power receiver, an allocated
sub-carrier among sub-carriers, and a time slot.
[0013] The controller is further configured to transmit data to the
resonance antenna. The resonance antenna is further configured to
transmit the data to the wireless power receiver using the
sub-carrier.
[0014] The controller is further configured to increase and reduce
a number of sub-carriers allocated to the wireless power receiver
based on an environment of the wireless power transmitter and the
wireless power receiver. The controller is further configured to
adjust allocation of the sub-carriers to the wireless power
receiver based on the number of the sub-carriers.
[0015] The wireless power transmitter further includes a detector
configured to receive the signal from the resonance antenna, and
remove a main carrier from the signal to demodulate the signal. The
wireless power transmitter further includes a band-pass filter unit
configured to extract the sub-carrier from the demodulated
signal.
[0016] The band-pass filter unit includes a band-pass filter
configured to extract the sub-carrier from the demodulated signal
through filtering.
[0017] The sub-carrier includes a time slot. The controller is
further configured to receive the data from the wireless power
receiver based on the sub-carrier and the time slot.
[0018] In another general aspect, there is provided a wireless
power receiver including a resonance antenna configured to
wirelessly receive a power from a wireless power transmitter. The
wireless power receiver further includes a controller configured to
generate a communication signal including data to be transmitted to
the wireless power transmitter. The wireless power receiver further
includes a load modulator configured to receive the communication
signal from the controller, and modulate a load of the wireless
power receiver to generate an output signal based on the
communication signal, the output signal including a sub-carrier
allocated to the wireless power receiver. The resonance antenna is
further configured to receive the output signal from the load
modulator, and transmit the output signal to the wireless power
transmitter using the sub-carrier.
[0019] The resonance antenna is further configured to receive a
power and data (power/data) signal from the wireless power
transmitter. The wireless power receiver further includes a
detector configured to receive the power/data signal from the
resonance antenna and remove a main carrier from the power/data
signal to demodulate the power/data signal. The wireless power
receiver further includes a band-pass filter unit configured to
extract another sub-carrier allocated to the wireless power
receiver from the demodulated power/data signal. The controller is
further configured to detect an envelope of the other sub-carrier,
the envelope including logical values `1` and `0`, and recognize
data from the wireless power transmitter based on the logical
values `1` and `0`.
[0020] The band-pass filter unit includes a band-pass filter,
configured to extract the other sub-carrier.
[0021] The sub-carrier includes a time slot allocated to the
wireless power receiver. The resonance antenna is further
configured to transmit the output signal to the wireless power
transmitter using the sub-carrier and the time slot.
[0022] In still another general aspect, there is provided a data
communication method including detecting a wireless power receiver.
The method further includes allocating, to the wireless power
receiver, a frequency channel among frequency channels. The method
further includes transmitting a power to the wireless power
receiver. The method further includes performing data communication
with the wireless power receiver using the frequency channel.
[0023] The method further includes determining whether the wireless
power receiver is completely charged based on the data
communication. The method further includes recovering the frequency
channel when the wireless power receiver is completely charged. The
method further includes interrupting the transmitting of the power
to the wireless power receiver when the wireless power receiver is
completely charged.
[0024] The method further includes detecting another wireless power
receiver. The method further includes determining whether all of
the frequency channels are allocated. The method further includes
allocating, to the other wireless power receiver, a non-allocated
frequency channel among the frequency channels if all of the
frequency channels are not allocated.
[0025] The method further includes distributing, to the other
wireless power receiver, an allocated frequency channel among the
frequency channels based on a time-division of the frequency
channel if all of the frequency channels are allocated.
[0026] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a
program including instructions to cause a computer to implement the
method.
[0027] In yet another general aspect, there is provided a data
transmission method including generating a communication signal
including data to be transmitted to a wireless power transmitter.
The method further includes generating an output signal based on
the communication signal, the output signal including a sub-carrier
allocated to a wireless power receiver. The method further includes
transmitting the output signal to the wireless power transmitter
using the sub-carrier.
[0028] Other features and aspects may be apparent from the
following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless
power transmission and charging system.
[0030] FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating examples of a
distribution of a magnetic field in a feeder and a source
resonator.
[0031] FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of a
wireless power transmitter.
[0032] FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a
distribution of a magnetic field in a source resonator based on
feeding of a feeding unit.
[0033] FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating examples of equivalent
circuits of a feeding unit and a source resonator.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
source device.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
target device.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless
channel allocation method using a frequency division multiple
access (FDMA) scheme.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless
channel allocation method using a time division multiple access
(TDMA) scheme.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless
channel allocation method using a frequency-time division multiple
access (FTDMA) scheme.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a wireless
channel allocation method for data communication.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data
communication method of a target device.
[0041] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electric
vehicle charging system.
[0042] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless
power transmission method of an electric vehicle.
[0043] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless
otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be
understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures.
The relative size and depiction of these elements may be
exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] The following detailed description is provided to assist the
reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various
changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be suggested to
those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of processing
steps and/or operations described is an example; however, the
sequence of and/or operations is not limited to that set forth
herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the
exception of steps and/or operations necessarily occurring in a
certain order. Also, description of well-known functions and
constructions may be omitted for increased clarity and
conciseness.
[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless power
transmission and charging system. The wireless power transmission
and charging system includes a source device 110 and a target
device 120.
[0046] The source device 110 includes an alternating
current-to-direct current (AC/DC) converter 111, a power supply
112, a power detector 113, a power converter 114, a control and
communication (control/communication) unit 115, and a source
resonator 116. The target device 120 includes a target resonator
121, a rectification unit 122, a DC-to-DC (DC/DC) converter 123, a
switch unit 124, a charging unit 125, and a control/communication
unit 126.
[0047] The AC/DC converter 111 rectifies an AC voltage in a band of
tens of hertz (Hz) output from the power supply 112 to generate a
DC voltage. The AC/DC converter 111 may output the DC voltage of a
predetermined level, or may adjust an output level of the DC
voltage based on a control of the control/communication unit
115.
[0048] The power detector 113 detects an output current and an
output voltage of the AC/DC converter 111, and transfers, to the
control/communication unit 115, information on the detected current
and the detected voltage. Additionally, the power detector 113 may
detect an input current and an input voltage of the power converter
114.
[0049] The power converter 114 converts the DC voltage to an AC
voltage to generate a power, using a switching pulse signal in a
band of a few kilohertz (KHz) to tens of megahertz (MHz). For
example, the power converter 114 may convert the DC voltage
supplied to a power amplifier (PA) to the AC voltage, using a
reference resonance frequency F.sub.Ref, to generate a
communication power used for communication and/or a charging power
used to charge. The communication power and/or the charging power
may be used in target devices. The communication power may refer to
a low power of 0.1 milliwatt (mW) to 1 mW, and the charging power
may refer to a high power of 1 mW to 200 W that is consumed in a
device load of a target device.
[0050] The term "charging" may refer to supplying a power to a unit
or element configured to charge power. Additionally, the term
"charging" may refer to supplying power to a unit or element
configured to consume power. The units or elements may include, for
example, batteries, displays, sound output circuits, main
processors, and various sensors. The term "reference resonance
frequency" may refer to a resonance frequency used by the source
device 110. Additionally, the term "tracking frequency" may refer
to a resonance frequency adjusted by a preset scheme.
[0051] The control/communication unit 115 detects a reflected wave
of the communication power and/or the charging power, and detects
mismatching between the target resonator 121 and the source
resonator 116 based on the detected reflected wave. To detect the
mismatching, the control/communication unit 115 may detect an
envelope of the reflected wave, and/or detect a power amount of the
reflected wave. The control/communication unit 115 may compute a
voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) based on a voltage level of the
reflected wave and a level of an output voltage of the source
resonator 116 or the power converter 114. For example, when the
VSWR is less than a predetermined value, the control/communication
unit 115 may determine that the mismatching is detected. In this
example, the control/communication unit 115 may compute a power
transmission efficiency for each of N tracking frequencies set in
advance, may determine a tracking frequency F.sub.Best with the
best power transmission efficiency among the N tracking
frequencies, and may adjust the reference resonance frequency
F.sub.Ref to the tracking frequency F.sub.Best.
[0052] Additionally, the control/communication unit 115 controls a
frequency of a switching pulse signal. Under the control of the
control/communication unit 115, the frequency of the switching
pulse signal is determined. By controlling the power converter 114,
the control/communication unit 115 generates a modulation signal to
be transmitted to the target device 120. For example, the
control/communication unit 115 may transmit various messages to the
target device 120 using in-band communication. Additionally, the
control/communication unit 115 detects a reflected wave, and
demodulates a signal received from the target device 120 through an
envelope of the detected reflected wave.
[0053] The control/communication unit 115 may generate a modulation
signal for the in-band communication, using various methods. For
example, to generate the modulation signal, the
control/communication unit 115 may turn on and off the switching
pulse signal, and/or may perform delta-sigma modulation.
Additionally, the control/communication unit 115 may generate a
pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal with a predetermined
envelope.
[0054] The control/communication unit 115 may also perform out-band
communication employing a communication channel. The
control/communication unit 115 may include a communication module,
such as, for example, one configured to process ZigBee, Bluetooth,
Wi-Fi, and/or WiMAX communications and/or other types of
communications. The control/communication unit 115 may transmit and
receive data to and from the target device 120 through the out-band
communication.
[0055] The source resonator 116 transfers an electromagnetic energy
to the target resonator 121. For example, the source resonator 116
may transfer, to the target device 120, the communication power
and/or the charging power using the magnetic coupling with the
target resonator 121.
[0056] The target resonator 121 receives the electromagnetic energy
from the source resonator 116. For example, the target resonator
121 may receive, from the source device 110, the communication
power and/or charging power using the magnetic coupling with the
source resonator 116. Additionally, the target resonator 121 may
receive various messages from the source device 110 using the
in-band communication.
[0057] The rectification unit 122 rectifies an AC voltage to
generate a DC voltage. The AC voltage is received from the target
resonator 121.
[0058] The DC/DC converter 123 adjusts a level of the DC voltage
output from the rectification unit 122 based on a capacitance of
the charging unit 125. For example, the DC/DC converter 123 may
adjust the level of the DC voltage to be within a range of about 3
volt (V) to about 10 V.
[0059] The switch unit 124 is turned on and off under the control
of the control/communication unit 126. When the switch unit 124 is
turned off, the control/communication unit 115 of the source device
110 detects a reflected wave. In other words, when the switch unit
124 is turned off, the magnetic coupling between the source
resonator 116 and the target resonator 121 is eliminated.
[0060] The charging unit 125 may include a battery. The charging
unit 125 may charge the battery using the DC voltage output from
the DC/DC converter 123.
[0061] The control/communication unit 126 may perform in-band
communication to transmit and receive data using a resonance
frequency. During the in-band communication, the
control/communication unit 126 may detect a signal between the
target resonator 121 and the rectification unit 122, or detect an
output signal of the rectification unit 122, and demodulate the
detected signal. In other words, the control/communication unit 126
may demodulate a message received through the in-band
communication. Additionally, the control/communication unit 126 may
adjust an impedance of the target resonator 121 to modulate a
signal to be transmitted to the source device 110. For example, the
control/communication unit 126 may turn on and off the switch unit
124 to modulate the signal to be transmitted to the source device
110. In another example, the control/communication unit 126 may
increase the impedance of the target resonator 121 so that the
control/communication unit 115 of the source device 110 may detect
a reflected wave. Depending on whether the reflected wave is
detected, the control/communication unit 115 may detect a binary
number "0" or "1".
[0062] The control/communication unit 126 transmits a response
message to the source device 110. The response message may include,
for example, a type of the target device 120, information on a
manufacturer of the target device 120, a model name of the target
device 120, a battery type of the target device 120, a scheme of
charging the target device 120, an impedance value of a load of the
target device 120, information on characteristics of the target
resonator 121 of the target device 120, information on a frequency
band used by the target device 120, an amount of a power consumed
by the target device 120, an identifier (ID) of the target device
120, and/or information on a version or standard of the target
device 120.
[0063] The control/communication unit 126 may also perform out-band
communication employing a communication channel. The
control/communication unit 126 may include a communication module,
such as, for example, one configured to process ZigBee, Bluetooth,
Wi-Fi, and/or WiMAX communications and/or other types of
communications. The control/communication unit 126 may transmit and
receive data to and from the source device 110 through the out-band
communication.
[0064] The control/communication unit 126 receives a wake-up
request message from the source device 110, detects an amount of a
power received at the target resonator 121, and transmits, to the
source device 110, information on the detected amount of the power.
The information on the detected amount of the power may include,
for example, an input voltage value and an input current value of
the rectification unit 122, an output voltage value and an output
current value of the rectification unit 122, an output voltage
value and an output current value of the DC/DC converter 123,
and/or other types of voltage and current values.
[0065] The control/communication unit 115 of the source device 110
sets a resonance bandwidth of the source resonator 116. Based on
the setting of the resonance bandwidth of the source resonator 116,
a Q-factor of the source resonator 116 may be determined.
[0066] Additionally, the control/communication unit 126 of the
target device 120 sets a resonance bandwidth of the target
resonator 121. Based on the setting of the resonance bandwidth of
the target resonator 121, a Q-factor of the target resonator 121
may be determined.
[0067] The resonance bandwidth of the source resonator 116 may be
set to be wider or narrower than the resonance bandwidth of the
target resonator 121. The source device 110 and the target device
120 communicate with each other to share information on the
resonance bandwidth of the source resonator 116 and the resonance
bandwidth of the target resonator 121. In an example in which a
power required by the target device 120 is higher than a reference
value, the Q-factor of the source resonator 116 may be set to a
value greater than "100". In another example in which the power
required by the target device 120 is lower than the reference
value, the Q-factor of the source resonator 116 may be set to a
value less than "100".
[0068] In a wireless power transmission employing a resonance
scheme, a resonance bandwidth is an important factor. For example,
a Q-factor Qt considers all of a change in a distance between the
source resonator 116 and the target resonator 121, a change in a
resonance impedance, impedance mismatching, a reflected signal, and
other factors. The Q-factor Qt may include an inverse-proportional
relationship with the resonance bandwidth, as given in Equation
1.
.DELTA. f f 0 = 1 Qt = .GAMMA. S , D + 1 BW S + 1 BW D [ Equation 1
] ##EQU00001##
[0069] In Equation 1, f.sub.0 denotes a central frequency, .DELTA.f
denotes a change in a bandwidth, .GAMMA..sub.S, D denotes a
reflection loss between the source resonator 116 and the target
resonator 121, BW.sub.S denotes the resonance bandwidth of the
source resonator 116, and BW.sub.D denotes the resonance bandwidth
of the target resonator 121.
[0070] An efficiency U of the wireless power transmission may be
defined, as given in Equation 2.
U = .kappa. .GAMMA. S .GAMMA. D = .omega. 0 M R S R D = Q S Q D Q
.kappa. [ Equation 2 ] ##EQU00002##
[0071] In Equation 2, .kappa. denotes a coupling coefficient of
energy coupling between the source resonator 116 and the target
resonator 121, .GAMMA..sub.S denotes a reflection coefficient in
the source resonator 116, .GAMMA..sub.D denotes a reflection
coefficient in the target resonator 121, .omega..sub.0 denotes a
resonance frequency, M denotes a mutual inductance between the
source resonator 116 and the target resonator 121, R.sub.S denotes
an impedance of the source resonator 116, R.sub.D denotes an
impedance of the target resonator 121, Q.sub.S denotes the Q-factor
of the source resonator 116, Q.sub.D denotes the Q-factor of the
target resonator 121, and Q.sub..kappa. denotes a Q-factor of the
energy coupling between the source resonator 116 and the target
resonator 121.
[0072] Referring to Equation 2, the Q-factors are highly relevant
to the efficiency U of the wireless power transmission.
Accordingly, to increase the efficiency U of the wireless power
transmission, the Q-factors may be set to relatively high values.
For example, when the Q-factors Q.sub.S and Q.sub.D are set to
relatively high values, the efficiency U of the wireless power
transmission may be reduced due to a change in the coupling
coefficient .kappa., the change in the distance between the source
resonator 116 and the target resonator 121, the change in the
resonance impedance, impedance mismatching, and/or other
factors.
[0073] Additionally, to increase the efficiency U of the wireless
power transmission, the resonance bandwidth BW.sub.S of the source
resonator 116, and the resonance bandwidth BW.sub.D of the target
resonator 121 may be set to be relatively narrow. However,
impedance mismatching and/or other problems may occur even due to a
relatively small external effect. Considering the impedance
mismatching, Equation 1 may be represented as given in Equation
3.
.DELTA. f f 0 = VSWR - 1 Qt VSWR [ Equation 3 ] ##EQU00003##
[0074] In an example in which an unbalanced relationship of a
resonance bandwidth or a bandwidth of an impedance matching
frequency between the source resonator 116 and the target resonator
121 is maintained, the efficiency U of the wireless power
transmission may be prevented from being reduced due to the change
in the coupling coefficient .kappa., the change in the distance
between the source resonator 116 and the target resonator 121, the
change in the resonance impedance, the impedance mismatching,
and/or other factors. When the unbalanced relationship of the
resonance bandwidth or the bandwidth of the impedance matching
frequency between the source resonator 116 and the target resonator
121 is maintained, based on Equations 1 and 3, an unbalanced
relationship between the Q-factors Q.sub.S and Q.sub.D may also be
maintained.
[0075] Hereinafter, the term "resonator" in FIGS. 2A through 4B may
include, for example, a source resonator and/or a target
resonator.
[0076] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of a distribution of a
magnetic field in a feeder and a resonator. In an example in which
the resonator receives power supply through the separate feeder,
magnetic fields are formed in both the feeder and the
resonator.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 2A, as an input current flows in a feeder
210, a magnetic field 230 is formed. A direction 231 of the
magnetic field 230 within the feeder 210 includes a phase opposite
to a phase of a direction 233 of the magnetic field 230 outside the
feeder 210. The magnetic field 230 causes an induced current to be
formed in a source resonator 220. A direction of the induced
current is opposite to a direction of the input current.
[0078] Due to the induced current, a magnetic field 240 is formed
in the source resonator 220. Directions of the magnetic field 240
in all positions of the source resonator 220 are identical.
Accordingly, a direction 241 of the magnetic field 240 in one
position of the source resonator 220 includes the same phase as a
direction 243 of the magnetic field 240 in another position of the
source resonator 220.
[0079] Consequently, when the magnetic field 230 formed by the
feeder 210 and the magnetic field 240 formed by the source
resonator 220 are combined, a strength of a total magnetic field
decreases within the feeder 210, but increases outside the feeder
210. In an example in which a power is supplied to the source
resonator 220 through the feeder 210, the strength of the total
magnetic field decreases in a center of the source resonator 220,
but increases in outer edges of the source resonator 220. When a
magnetic field is randomly distributed in the source resonator 220,
it may be difficult to perform impedance matching, since an input
impedance may frequently vary. Additionally, when the strength of
the total magnetic field is increased, an efficiency of wireless
power transmission may be increased. Conversely, when the strength
of the total magnetic field is decreased, the efficiency of
wireless power transmission may be decreased. Accordingly, a power
transmission efficiency may be reduced on average.
[0080] As an example, in a target resonator, a magnetic field is
distributed as illustrated in FIG. 2A. For example, the input
current flowing in the feeder 210 induces a current flowing in the
source resonator 220. A magnetic coupling between the source
resonator 220 and the target resonator induces a current flowing in
the target resonator. The current flowing in the target resonator
causes a magnetic field to be formed, so that an induced current is
generated in a feeder located in the target resonator. In this
example, within the feeder, a direction of the magnetic field
formed by the target resonator includes a phase opposite to a phase
of a direction of a magnetic field formed by the feeder, and
accordingly, a strength of a total magnetic field is reduced.
[0081] FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a wireless power
transmitter in which a source resonator 250 and a feeder 260
include a common ground. The source resonator 250 includes a
capacitor 251. The feeder 260 receives a radio frequency (RF)
signal via a port 261.
[0082] For example, when the feeder 260 receives the RF signal, an
input current is generated in the feeder 260. The input current
flowing in the feeder 260 causes a magnetic field to be formed, and
the magnetic field induces a current in the source resonator 250.
Additionally, another magnetic field is formed due to the induced
current flowing in the source resonator 250. A direction of the
input current flowing in the feeder 260 includes a phase opposite
to a phase of a direction of the induced current flowing in the
source resonator 250. Accordingly, in a region between the source
resonator 250 and the feeder 260, a direction 271 of the magnetic
field formed due to the input current includes the same phase as a
direction 273 of the magnetic field formed due to the induced
current, and thus, a strength of a total magnetic field increases.
Conversely, within the feeder 260, a direction 281 of the magnetic
field formed due to the input current includes a phase opposite to
a phase of a direction 283 of the magnetic field formed due to the
induced current, and thus, the strength of the total magnetic field
decreases. Therefore, the strength of the total magnetic field
decreases in the center of the source resonator 250, but increases
in outer edges of the source resonator 250.
[0083] The feeder 260 adjusts an internal area of the feeder 260 to
determine an input impedance. The input impedance refers to an
impedance viewed in a direction from the feeder 260 to the source
resonator 250. When the internal area of the feeder 260 is
increased, the input impedance is increased. Conversely, when the
internal area of the feeder 260 is reduced, the input impedance is
reduced. Since the magnetic field is randomly-distributed in the
source resonator 250 despite a reduction in the input impedance, a
value of the input impedance varies depending on a location of a
target device. Accordingly, a separate matching network may be
required to match the input impedance to an output impedance of a
PA. For example, when the input impedance is increased, a separate
matching network may be used to match the increased input impedance
to a relatively low output impedance.
[0084] As an example, when a target resonator includes the same
configuration as the source resonator 250, and when a feeder of the
target resonator includes the same configuration as the feeder 260,
a separate matching network may be required. This is because a
direction of a current flowing in the target resonator includes a
phase opposite to a phase of a direction of an induced current
flowing in the feeder of the target resonator.
[0085] FIG. 3A illustrates an example of a wireless power
transmitter. The wireless power transmitter includes a resonator
310 and a feeding unit 320. The resonator 310 includes a capacitor
311. The feeding unit 320 is electrically-connected to both ends of
the capacitor 311.
[0086] FIG. 3B illustrates, in more detail, an example of the
wireless power transmitter of FIG. 3A. The resonator 310 includes a
first transmission line, a first conductor 341, a second conductor
342, and at least one first capacitor 350.
[0087] The first capacitor 350 is inserted in series between a
first signal conducting portion 331 and a second signal conducting
portion 332 in the first transmission line, and an electric field
is confined within the first capacitor 350. For example, the first
transmission line may include at least one conductor in an upper
portion of the first transmission line, and may also include at
least one conductor in a lower portion of the first transmission
line. Current may flow through the conductor disposed in the upper
portion of the first transmission line, and the conductor disposed
in the lower portion of the first transmission line may be
electrically-grounded. Referring to FIG. 3B, a conductor disposed
in an upper portion of the first transmission line is separated
into and thereby refers to the first signal conducting portion 331
and the second signal conducting portion 332. A conductor disposed
in a lower portion of the first transmission line refers to a first
ground conducting portion 333.
[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the resonator 310 includes a
two-dimensional (2D) structure. The first transmission line
includes the first signal conducting portion 331 and the second
signal conducting portion 332 in the upper portion of the first
transmission line. In addition, the first transmission line
includes the first ground conducting portion 333 in the lower
portion of the first transmission line. The first signal conducting
portion 331 and the second signal conducting portion 332 are
disposed to face the first ground conducting portion 333. The
current flows through the first signal conducting portion 331 and
the second signal conducting portion 332.
[0089] Additionally, one end of the first signal conducting portion
331 is electrically-connected (i.e., shorted) to the first
conductor 341, and another end of the first signal conducting
portion 331 is electrically-connected to the first capacitor 350.
One end of the second signal conducting portion 332 is
electrically-connected to the second conductor 342, and another end
of the second signal conducting portion 332 is
electrically-connected to the first capacitor 350. Accordingly, the
first signal conducting portion 331, the second signal conducting
portion 332, the first ground conducting portion 333, and the
conductors 341 and 342 are electrically-connected to each other, so
that the resonator 310 includes an electrically closed-loop
structure. The term "closed-loop structure" may include a polygonal
structure, for example, a circular structure, a rectangular
structure, and/or other types of structures that is
electrically-closed.
[0090] The first capacitor 350 is inserted into an intermediate
portion of the first transmission line. For example, the first
capacitor 350 is inserted into a space between the first signal
conducting portion 331 and the second signal conducting portion
332. The first capacitor 350 may include a shape of, for example, a
lumped element, a distributed element, and/or other types of
elements. For example, a distributed capacitor configured as a
distributed element may include zigzagged conductor lines and a
dielectric material including a high permittivity between the
zigzagged conductor lines.
[0091] When the first capacitor 350 is inserted into the first
transmission line, the resonator 310 may include a characteristic
of a metamaterial. The metamaterial indicates a material including
a predetermined electrical property that has not been discovered in
nature, and thus, may include an artificially-designed structure.
An electromagnetic characteristic of the materials existing in
nature may include a unique magnetic permeability and/or a unique
permittivity. Most materials may include a positive magnetic
permeability and/or a positive permittivity.
[0092] In the case of most materials, a right hand rule may be
applied to an electric field, a magnetic field, and a Poynting
vector, and thus, the corresponding materials may be referred to as
right handed materials (RHMs). However, the metamaterial including
a magnetic permeability and/or a permittivity absent in nature may
be classified into, for example, an epsilon negative (ENG)
material, a mu negative (MNG) material, a double negative (DNG)
material, a negative refractive index (NRI) material, a left-handed
(LH) material, and/or other types of materials, based on a sign of
the corresponding permittivity and/or magnetic permeability.
[0093] When a capacitance of the first capacitor 350 inserted as
the lumped element is appropriately determined, the resonator 310
may include the characteristic of the metamaterial. Because the
resonator 310 may include a negative magnetic permeability by
appropriately adjusting a capacitance of the first capacitor 350,
the resonator 310 may also be referred to as an MNG resonator.
Various criteria may be applied to determine the capacitance of the
first capacitor 350. For example, the various criteria may include
a criterion to enable the resonator 310 to include the
characteristic of the metamaterial, a criterion to enable the
resonator 310 to include a negative magnetic permeability in a
target frequency, a criterion to enable the resonator 310 to
include a zeroth-order resonance characteristic in the target
frequency, and/or other types of criteria. Based on at least one
criterion among the aforementioned criteria, the capacitance of the
first capacitor 350 may be determined.
[0094] The resonator 310, also referred to as the MNG resonator
310, may include a zeroth-order resonance characteristic of
including, as a resonance frequency, a frequency when a propagation
constant is "0". Because the resonator 310 may include the
zeroth-order resonance characteristic, the resonance frequency may
be independent with respect to a physical size of the MNG resonator
310. By appropriately designing the first capacitor 350, the MNG
resonator 310 may sufficiently change the resonance frequency.
Accordingly, the physical size of the MNG resonator 310 may not be
changed.
[0095] In a near field, the electric field may be concentrated on
the first capacitor 350 inserted into the first transmission line.
Accordingly, due to the first capacitor 350, the magnetic field may
become dominant in the near field. The MNG resonator 310 may
include a relatively high Q-factor using the first capacitor 350 of
the lumped element. Thus, it is possible to enhance a power
transmission efficiency. For example, the Q-factor may indicate a
level of an ohmic loss or a ratio of a reactance with respect to a
resistor in a wireless power transmission. The efficiency of the
wireless power transmission may increase according to an increase
in the Q-factor.
[0096] Although not illustrated in FIG. 3B, a magnetic core may be
further provided to pass through the MNG resonator 310. The
magnetic core may increase a power transmission distance.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 3B, the feeding unit 320 includes a second
transmission line, a third conductor 371, a fourth conductor 372, a
fifth conductor 381, and a sixth conductor 382. The second
transmission line includes a third signal conducting portion 361
and a fourth signal conducting portion 362 in an upper portion of
the second transmission line. In addition, the second transmission
line includes a second ground conducting portion 363 in a lower
portion of the second transmission line. The third signal
conducting portion 361 and the fourth signal conducting portion 362
are disposed to face the second ground conducting portion 363.
Current flows through the third signal conducting portion 361 and
the fourth signal conducting portion 362.
[0098] Additionally, one end of the third signal conducting portion
361 is electrically-connected to the third conductor 371, and
another end of the third signal conducting portion 361 is
electrically-connected to the fifth conductor 381. One end of the
fourth signal conducting portion 362 is electrically-connected to
the fourth conductor 372, and another end of the fourth signal
conducting portion 362 is electrically-connected to the sixth
conductor 382. The fifth conductor 381 is electrically-connected to
the first signal conducting portion 331, and the sixth conductor
382 is electrically-connected to the second signal conducting
portion 332. The fifth conductor 381 and the sixth conductor 382
are electrically-connected in parallel to both ends of the first
capacitor 350. The fifth conductor 381 and the sixth conductor 382
are used as input ports to receive an RF signal.
[0099] Accordingly, the third signal conducting portion 361, the
fourth signal conducting portion 362, the second ground conducting
portion 363, the third conductor 371, the fourth conductor 372, the
fifth conductor 381, the sixth conductor 382, and the resonator 310
are electrically-connected to each other, so that the resonator 310
and the feeding unit 320 include an electrically closed-loop
structure. When the RF signal is received via the fifth conductor
381 or the sixth conductor 382, an input current flows in the
feeding unit 320 and the resonator 310, a magnetic field is formed
due to the input current, and a current is induced in the resonator
310 due to the formed magnetic field. A direction of the input
current flowing in the feeding unit 320 is identical to a direction
of the induced current flowing in the resonator 310, and thus, a
strength of a total magnetic field increases in a center of the
resonator 310, but decreases in outer edges of the resonator
310.
[0100] An input impedance is determined based on an area of a
region between the resonator 310 and the feeding unit 320, and
accordingly, a separate matching network used to match the input
impedance to an output impedance of a power amplifier may not be
required. For example, even when the matching network is used, the
input impedance may be determined by adjusting a size of the
feeding unit 320, and thus, a structure of the matching network may
be simplified. The simplified structure of the matching network may
minimize a matching loss of the matching network.
[0101] The second transmission line, the third conductor 371, the
fourth conductor 372, the fifth conductor 381, and the sixth
conductor 382 form the same structure as the resonator 310. In an
example in which the resonator 310 includes a loop structure, the
feeding unit 320 may also include a loop structure. In another
example in which the resonator 310 includes a circular structure,
the feeding unit 320 may also include a circular structure.
[0102] FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a distribution of a
magnetic field in a resonator based on feeding of a feeding unit.
FIG. 4A more briefly illustrates the resonator 310 and the feeding
unit 320 of FIG. 3A.
[0103] A feeding operation in a wireless power transmission refers
to supplying a power to a source resonator, or refers to supplying
AC power to a rectification unit. FIG. 4A illustrates a direction
of an input current flowing in the feeding unit, and a direction of
an induced current induced in the source resonator. Additionally,
FIG. 4A illustrates a direction of a magnetic field formed due to
the input current, and a direction of a magnetic field formed due
to the induced current.
[0104] A fifth conductor or a sixth conductor of the feeding unit
may be used as an input port 410. The input port 410 receives an RF
signal output from a PA. The PA may increase and decrease an
amplitude of the RF signal, on demand of a target device. The RF
signal is displayed in the form of the input current flowing in the
feeding unit. The input current flows in a clockwise direction in
the feeding unit, along a transmission line of the feeding unit.
The fifth conductor is electrically-connected to the resonator,
e.g., a first signal conducting portion of the resonator.
Accordingly, the input current flows in the resonator, as well as,
in the feeding unit. The input current flows in a counterclockwise
direction in the resonator. The input current flowing in the
resonator causes a magnetic field to be formed so that an induced
current is generated in the resonator due to the magnetic field.
The induced current flows in a clockwise direction in the
resonator. The induced current transfers energy to a capacitor of
the resonator, and a magnetic field is formed due to the induced
current. The input current flowing in the feeding unit and the
resonator is indicated by a solid line of FIG. 4A, and the induced
current flowing in the resonator is indicated by a dotted line of
FIG. 4A.
[0105] A direction of a magnetic field formed due to current may be
determined based on the right hand rule. As illustrated in FIG. 4A,
within the feeding unit, a direction 421 of the magnetic field
formed due to the input current flowing in the feeding unit is
identical to a direction 423 of the magnetic field formed due to
the induced current. Accordingly, a strength of a total magnetic
field increases within the feeding unit.
[0106] Additionally, in a region between the feeding unit and the
resonator, a direction 433 of the magnetic field formed due to the
input current flowing in the feeding unit includes a phase opposite
to a phase of a direction 431 of the magnetic field formed due to
the induced current. Accordingly, the strength of the total
magnetic field decreases in the region between the feeding unit and
the resonator.
[0107] Typically, a strength of a magnetic field decreases in a
center of a resonator with a loop structure, and increases in outer
edges of the resonator. However, referring to FIG. 4A, the feeding
unit is electrically-connected to both ends of the capacitor of the
resonator, and accordingly, the induced current flows in the same
direction as the input current of the feeding unit. Since the
induced current flows in the same direction as the input current of
the feeding unit, the strength of the total magnetic field
increases within the feeding unit, and decreases outside the
feeding unit. As a result, the strength of the total magnetic field
increases in a center of the resonator with the loop structure, and
decreases in the outer edges of the resonator, due to the feeding
unit. Thus, the strength of the total magnetic field is equalized
within the resonator.
[0108] Additionally, a power transmission efficiency of
transferring a power from the source resonator to a target
resonator is proportional to the strength of the total magnetic
field formed in the source resonator. When the strength of the
total magnetic field increases in the center of the source
resonator, the power transmission efficiency also increases.
[0109] FIG. 4B illustrates an equivalent circuit of a feeding unit
440, and an equivalent circuit of a resonator 450. An input
impedance Z.sub.in viewed in a direction from the feeding unit 440
to the resonator 450 may be computed, as given in Equation 4.
Z i n = ( .omega. M ) 2 Z [ Equation 4 ] ##EQU00004##
[0110] In Equation 4, M denotes a mutual inductance between the
feeding unit 440 and the resonator 450, .omega. denotes a resonance
frequency between the feeding unit 440 and the resonator 450, and Z
denotes an impedance viewed in a direction from the resonator 450
to a target device. The input impedance Z.sub.in is proportional to
the mutual inductance M. Accordingly, the input impedance Z.sub.in
may be controlled by adjusting the mutual inductance M. The mutual
inductance M may be adjusted based on an area of a region between
the feeding unit 440 and the resonator 450. The area of the region
between the feeding unit 440 and the resonator 450 may be adjusted
based on a size of the feeding unit 440. The input impedance
Z.sub.in may be determined based on the size of the feeding unit
440, and thus, a separate matching network may not be required to
perform impedance matching with an output impedance of a PA.
[0111] For a target resonator and a feeding unit included in a
wireless power receiver, a magnetic field is distributed as
illustrated in FIG. 4A. For example, the target resonator receives
a wireless power from a source resonator, using magnetic coupling.
Due to the received wireless power, an induced current is generated
in the target resonator. A magnetic field formed due to the induced
current causes another induced current to be generated in the
feeding unit. In this example, when the target resonator is
connected to the feeding unit as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the
induced current generated in the target resonator flows in the same
direction as the induced current generated in the feeding unit.
Thus, a strength of a total magnetic field increases within the
feeding unit, but decreases in a region between the feeding unit
and the target resonator.
[0112] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a source device 500. The
source device 500 may be, for example, the source device 110 of
FIG. 1. The source device 500 functions as a wireless power
transmitter. The source device 500 wirelessly transmits a power to
at least one target device, and may perform in-band data
communication with the target device.
[0113] The source device 500 includes a signal generator 520, a
signal modulator 522, a PA 524, a controller 530, a resonance
antenna 540, a current and voltage (current/voltage) sensor 560, a
notch filter 570, a detector 572, a band-pass filter unit 580, and
a signal amplifier 590. The resonance antenna 540, the PA 524, and
the controller 530 may correspond to the source resonator 116, the
power converter 114, and the control/communication unit 115 of FIG.
1, respectively.
[0114] A transmission block 510 includes elements used to transmit
the wireless power and data. The transmission block 510 includes
the signal generator 520, the signal modulator 522, the PA 524, the
controller 530, and the resonance antenna 540.
[0115] A reception block 550 includes elements used to receive data
from the target device. The reception block 550 includes the
controller 530, the resonance antenna 540, the current/voltage
sensor 560, the notch filter 570, the detector 572, the band-pass
filter unit 580, and the signal amplifier 590.
[0116] The signal generator 520 generates a carrier signal. The
carrier signal is used to generate a main carrier frequency
f.sub.c. In other words, the main carrier frequency f.sub.c is
included in the generated carrier signal. Additionally, the carrier
signal is used to transmit the power and the data. The main carrier
frequency f.sub.c is a power transmission frequency used to
transmit the power.
[0117] The signal modulator 522 modulates the carrier signal, to
obtain a TX-modulated carrier signal in which information for data
transmission is loaded or included. The data transmission is data
communication between the source device 500 and the target device
that will be described below. The carrier signal may be modulated
by, for example, on-off keying (OOK), amplitude shift keying (ASK),
and other types of modulation schemes.
[0118] The PA 524 amplifies the TX-modulated carrier signal to a
power required to charge the target device, based on a control of
the controller 530. Hereinafter, a signal output by the PA 524 is
referred to as a PA signal.
[0119] The resonance antenna 540 wirelessly transmits the PA signal
to the target device. For example, the resonance antenna 540
transmits the power and the data to the target device.
[0120] The target device transmits the data to the source device
500. To transmit the data, the target device modulates a load of
the target device, which will be described with reference to FIG.
6. The modulating of the load influences a signal (namely, the PA
signal) applied to the resonance antenna 540, via the resonance
antenna 540 and a resonance antenna of the target device.
Additionally, the signal applied to the resonance antenna 540 is
regarded to be a signal received by the resonance antenna 540. For
example, when the load of the target device is modulated, the
signal received by the resonance antenna 540 is also modulated. In
the example of FIG. 5, the modulated PA signal is referred to as a
received signal.`
[0121] The current/voltage sensor 560 generates information
required to monitor a current and/or a voltage of the PA signal
based on the received signal. The current/voltage sensor 560 senses
the received signal, and generates the information. For example,
the current/voltage sensor 560 may include a resistor. A portion of
the received signal may flow through the resistor. The portion of
the received signal flowing through the resistor may be a portion
of a voltage extracted from the power of the received signal. The
current/voltage sensor 560 may provide the controller 530 with
voltage signals at both ends of the resistor. The controller 530
may calculate the current and/or the voltage of the received
signal, based on a resistance value of the resistor, and based on
values of voltages applied to both the ends of the resistor.
[0122] The controller 530 controls the PA 524 so that the PA signal
includes a power required to charge the target device, based on the
calculated current and/or the voltage of the received signal.
Additionally, based on the calculated current and/or the voltage,
the controller 530 identifies the power required by the target
device based on the calculated current and/or the voltage, and may
determine whether a target device configured to receive a power
exists, whether a predetermined target device among target devices
is completely charged, and/or whether a new target device is
added.
[0123] The received signal includes at least one sub-carrier. The
sub-carrier is generated when the target device modulates the load
of the target device. The controller 530 receives data from the
target device, based on the sub-carrier. The data may include, for
example, in-band communication data for in-band communication
between the source device 500 and the target device. The
sub-carrier is allocated to a predetermined target device. A method
of allocating a sub-carrier to a target device will be further
described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.
[0124] The notch filter 570 mitigates a main carrier in the
received signal, to smoothly demodulate the received signal. The
main carrier may correspond to the reference resonance frequency
F.sub.Ref of FIG. 1.
[0125] The detector 572 removes the main carrier from the received
signal to demodulate the received signal. The detector 572 may
employ a demodulation scheme corresponding to a modulation scheme
used by the target device to transmit data. The demodulated signal
includes reception (RX) data in which the demodulated sub-carrier
without a main carrier is loaded.
[0126] The band-pass filter unit 580 extracts the sub-carrier from
the demodulated signal. The band-pass filter unit 580 includes at
least one band-pass filter, for example, at least one narrow
band-pass filter. The band-pass filter may include, for example, an
analog filter or a digital filter. A configuration of the band-pass
filter unit 580 may be changed based on which sub-carriers in the
received signal are allocated to target devices. In other words,
the configuration of the band-pass filter unit 580 may be changed
depending on whether a predetermined sub-carrier is used.
[0127] Each band-pass filter may correspond to a single sub-carrier
among the sub-carriers in the received signal. Each band-pass
filter may extract, from the demodulated signal, a predetermined
sub-carrier among the sub-carriers in the received signal, through
filtering. Among band-pass filters of the band-pass filter unit
580, only a band-pass filter corresponding to a sub-carrier
allocated to a target device is operated.
[0128] The signal amplifier 590 amplifies the sub-carrier extracted
by the band-pass filter unit 580. The band-pass filter unit 580 and
the signal amplifier 590 may be included in the controller 530.
[0129] The controller 530 detects an envelope of the sub-carrier.
The controller 530 receives the data from the target device, based
on logical values `1` and `0` in the detected envelope. That is,
the data transmitted by the target device is represented as the
logical values `1` and `0` in the envelope generated from the
sub-carrier used by the target device.
[0130] The controller 530 increases and reduces a number of the
sub-carriers (namely, a number of frequency bands of the
sub-carriers) allocated to target devices adaptively based on an
environment of the source device 500 and the target devices. When
the number of the sub-carriers is increased or reduced, the
controller 530 adjusts the allocation of the sub-carriers to the
target devices, based on the increase or the reduction in the
number of the sub-carriers.
[0131] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a target device 600. The
target device 600 may be, for example, the target device 120 of
FIG. 1. The target device 600 functions as a wireless power
receiver.
[0132] The target device 600 includes a resonance antenna 610, a
rectification unit 620, a current/voltage sensor 630, a charging
terminal unit 640, a detector 650, a band-pass filter unit 660, a
controller 668, and a load modulator 670. The resonance antenna
610, the rectification unit 620, and the charging terminal unit 640
may correspond to the target resonator 121, the rectification unit
122, and the charging unit 125 of FIG. 1, respectively.
Additionally, the controller 668 and the load modulator 670 may
correspond to the control/communication unit 126 of FIG. 1.
[0133] The resonance antenna 610 receives a signal from the
resonance antenna 540 of the source device 500 of FIG. 5. For
example, the resonance antenna 610 receives a power and data
(power/data) signal from the source device 500. In the example of
FIG. 6, the power/data signal received by the resonance antenna 610
is referred to as a received signal.
[0134] The rectification unit 620 rectifies the received signal to
generate DC. That is, the rectification unit 620 rectifies a power
received through the received signal. The rectified DC is
transmitted to the charging terminal unit 640. A load is connected
to the charging terminal unit 640. The current/voltage sensor 630
generates information required to monitor a current and a voltage
provided to the load. For example, the current/voltage sensor 630
may include a resistor. A portion of a power provided to the load
may flow through the resistor. The current/voltage sensor 630 may
provide the controller 668 with voltage signals at both ends of the
resistor. The controller 668 may calculate the current and/or the
voltage of the power provided to the charging terminal unit 640
(and/or the load), based on a resistance value of the resistor, and
values of voltages applied to the ends of the resistor. A signal
output via the current/voltage sensor 630 corresponds to a DC used
to charge the load.
[0135] The controller 668 verifies an amount of a power to charge
the load, based on the calculated current and/or the voltage. The
controller 668 generates data to be transmitted to the source
device 500, and generates a data communication signal including the
data.
[0136] The data indicates information regarding various states of
the target device 600, for example, charging completion, battery
overheating, overvoltage, overcurrent, and/or other types of
information. The controller 668 generates the data based on the
amount of the power to charge the load. For example, when charging
of the load is completed, the controller 668 generates data
representing a message stating completion of the charging of the
load, or a message requesting interruption of wireless power
transmission to the target device 600.
[0137] The controller 668 controls the load modulator 670, using
the data communication signal. The controller 668 controls the load
modulator 670 to transmit the data to the source device 500 using a
transmitted signal. The transmitted signal is transmitted from the
resonance antenna 610 to the source device 500.
[0138] The load modulator 670 changes or modulates the load of the
target device 600 to generate and modulate the transmitted signal.
The transmitted signal includes at least one sub-carrier. The load
modulator 670 transmits the data to the source device 500, using
the sub-carrier allocated to the target device 600 among
sub-carriers allocated to the target device 600. The data
communication signal generated by the controller 668 may be used to
generate the allocated sub-carrier.
[0139] The load modulator 670 may include a switch. When the data
communication signal includes a logical value `1`, the switch is
closed or short-circuited. When the data communication signal
includes a logical value `0`, the switch is opened. For example,
when the switch is closed, the load of the target device 600 is
changed, and the power/data signal transmitted from the source
device 500 to the target device 600 is reflected. In this example,
the power/data signal may be the PA signal transmitted wirelessly
by the resonance antenna 540 of FIG. 5. Additionally, a change in
the load of the target device 600 indicates that a load impedance
of the target device 600 is 0. In another example, when the switch
is opened, the load of the target device 600 is changed, and the
power/data signal passes through the target device 600, instead of
being reflected. In other words, the load modulator 670 modulates
the signal applied to the resonance antenna 540, namely, the PA
signal.
[0140] As described above, when a reflected wave is transmitted,
the source device 500 recognizes the data transmitted from the
target device 600. For example, when the data includes information
on a state of the target device 600, the source device 500 performs
an operation based on the information, and for example, may change
the PA signal.
[0141] The detector 650 extracts data from the received signal. In
more detail, the detector 650 removes a main carrier from the
received signal to demodulate the received signal. The detector 650
employs a demodulation scheme corresponding to the modulation
scheme used by the source device 500 to transmit data. The
demodulated signal includes TX data in which at least one
demodulated sub-carrier is loaded after the main carrier is
removed. Hereinafter, the sub-carrier included in the demodulated
signal is referred to as a received sub-carrier, and at least one
sub-carrier included in the transmitted signal is referred to as a
transmitted sub-carrier. A portion or all of received sub-carriers
may include the same frequency as one transmitted sub-carrier among
transmitted sub-carriers.
[0142] The band-pass filter unit 660 extracts the received
sub-carrier from the demodulated signal. The band-pass filter unit
660 includes at least one band-pass filter, for example, a first
band-pass filter 662, a second band-pass filter 664, and a third
band-pass filter 666, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0143] Each of the band-pass filters 662, 664, and 666 may
correspond to a single respective received sub-carrier among the
received sub-carriers. Each of the band-pass filters 662, 664, and
666 extracts the respective received sub-carrier from the
demodulated signal through filtering.
[0144] Each of the band-pass filters 662, 664, and 666
corresponding to the respective received sub-carrier allocated to
the target device 600 extracts the respective received sub-carrier.
The extracted sub-carrier is transferred to the controller 668. For
example, a sub-carrier allocated by the source device 500 to
transfer data to the target device 600 is transferred to the
controller 668 through the band-pass filter 662, 664, or 666
corresponding to the allocated sub-carrier.
[0145] The controller 668 detects an envelope of the extracted
sub-carrier. The controller 668 recognizes the data received from
the source device 500, based on logical values `1` and `0` in the
detected envelope. For example, the data transmitted by the source
device 500 using the received signal may be represented as logical
values `1` and `0` in the envelope generated from the sub-carrier
allocated to the target device 600.
[0146] As described above, a source device allocates at least one
sub-carrier to at least one target device, respectively. Allocating
a sub-carrier to a predetermined target device may include
allocating a wireless channel for data communication in wireless
power transmission between the source device and the predetermined
target device. Each sub-carrier may correspond to a wireless
channel.
[0147] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a wireless channel
allocation method using a frequency division multiple access (FDMA)
scheme. The source device 500 (e.g., of FIG. 5) performs data
communication through wireless power transmission with target
devices 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3 (e.g., the target device 600 of
FIG. 6). In other words, a single wireless power transmitter
communicates with three wireless power receivers.
[0148] Graphs 710, 720-1, 720-2, and 720-3 of FIG. 7 represent data
communication channels used between the source device 500 and the
target devices 600-1 to 600-3 in a frequency (f) domain.
Additionally, f.sub.c indicates a frequency of a main carrier, and
f.sub.1, f.sub.2 and f.sub.3 indicate frequencies of
sub-carriers.
[0149] The source device 500 distributes the sub-carriers to the
target devices 600-1 to 600-3, using the FDMA scheme. For example,
the controller 530 (e.g., of FIG. 5) of the source device 500
allocates the frequencies f.sub.1, f.sub.2 and f.sub.3 to the
target devices 600-1 to 600-3, respectively. In other words, the
controller 530 allocates the data communication channels to the
target devices 600-1 to 600-3, respectively. For example, the
target device 600-1 transmits data to the source device 500, using
the sub-carrier with the frequency f.sub.1, or using a data
communication channel with frequency f.sub.1.
[0150] The controller 530 demodulates a signal or data from the
frequencies f.sub.c, f.sub.1, f.sub.2 and f.sub.3, to perform the
data communication with the target devices 600-1 to 600-3. Since
the different sub-carriers are respectively allocated to the target
devices 600-1 to 600-3, signals in which data is loaded do not
collide or interfere with each other, even when the target devices
600-1 to 600-3 simultaneously transmit or reflect the signals.
Accordingly, as illustrated in the graph 710, the controller 530
receives all of the data transmitted simultaneously by the target
devices 600-1 to 600-3 through the frequencies f.sub.1, f.sub.2 and
f.sub.3, respectively.
[0151] The controller 530 adjusts a frequency of each of the
sub-carriers to be allocated to the target devices 600-1 to 600-3,
based on a channel environment, a characteristic Q of the resonance
antenna 540 (e.g., of FIG. 5) of the source device 500, and
characteristics Q of resonance antennas 610-1, 610-2, and 610-3
(e.g., the resonance antenna 610 of FIG. 6). The characteristics Q
may refer to Q-factors.
[0152] The controller 530 may allocate only a portion of a
sub-carrier to each of the target devices 600-1 to 600-3.
Additionally, the controller 530 may allocate a sub-carrier to a
predetermined target device. The band-pass filter unit 580 (e.g.,
of FIG. 5) of the source device 500, and the band-pass filter unit
660 (e.g., of FIG. 6) of the target device 600 may include at least
one band-pass filter corresponding to at least one allocated
sub-carrier.
[0153] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a wireless channel
allocation method using a time division multiple access (TDMA)
scheme. The source device 500 (e.g., of FIG. 5) performs data
communication through wireless power transmission with target
devices 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3 (e.g., the target device 600 of
FIG. 6). In other words, a single wireless power transmitter
communicates with three wireless power receivers.
[0154] Graphs 810, 830-1, 830-2, and 830-3 of FIG. 8 represent data
communication channels used between the source device 500 and the
target devices 600-1 to 600-3 in a frequency (0 domain.
Additionally, f.sub.c indicates a frequency of a main carrier, and
f.sub.1, f.sub.2 and f.sub.3 indicate frequencies of
sub-carriers.
[0155] The source device 500 distributes the sub-carriers to target
devices 600-1 to 600-3, using the TDMA scheme. For example, the
controller 530 (e.g., of FIG. 5) of the source device 500 allocates
the frequency f.sub.2 to the target devices 600-1 to 600-3 in a
time division manner. That is, the target devices 600-1 to 600-3
uses the same communication channel in different time slots. Each
of the target devices 600-1 to 600-3 transmits data to the source
device 500, using the sub-carrier with the frequency f.sub.2
allocated to each of the target devices 600-1 to 600-3, in a time
slot assigned to each of the target devices 600-1 to 600-3.
[0156] Each of graphs 840-1, 840-2, and 840-3 of FIG. 8 represents
a signal transmitted from each of the target devices 600-1 to 600-3
to the source device 500, over time (t). As illustrated in the
graphs 840-1 to 840-3, a communication channel corresponding to a
time slot from time t.sub.1 to time t.sub.2 is allocated to the
target device 600-1, a communication channel corresponding to a
time slot from time t.sub.2 to time t.sub.3 is allocated to the
target device 600-2, and a communication channel corresponding to a
time slot after time t.sub.3 is allocated to the target device
600-3. The target devices 600-1 to 600-3 transmits the data to the
source device 500, using the sub-carrier with the frequency
f.sub.2, in the time slots assigned to the target devices 600-1 to
600-3, respectively.
[0157] The controller 530 allocates at least one communication
channel to at least one target device in the time division manner,
and determines which communication channel is allocated to a target
device in a predetermined time slot. For example, a graph 820 of
FIG. 8 represents a signal received by the source device 500 over
time (t). As illustrated in the graph 820, the controller 530
receives the data from the target devices 600-1 to 600-3 through
the sub-carrier with the frequency f.sub.2. The controller 530
identifies which one of the target devices 600-1 to 600-3 transmits
the data in a predetermined time slot, and processes the data
received from the identified target device.
[0158] The controller 530 demodulates a time-distributed signal as
data received from a predetermined target device among target
devices, and performs the data communication with the target
devices. For example, when the target devices transmit data
simultaneously at the same time, the transmitted data collide with
each other. When the data collides, the target devices may
re-transmit the data after a predetermined period of time.
[0159] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a wireless channel
allocation method using a frequency-time division multiple access
(FTDMA) scheme. The source device 500 (e.g., of FIG. 5) performs
data communication through wireless power transmission with target
devices 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3 (e.g., the target device 600 of
FIG. 6). In other words, a single wireless power transmitter
communicates with three wireless power receivers.
[0160] Graphs 910, 940-1, 940-2, and 940-3 of FIG. 9 represent data
communication channels used between the source device 500 and the
target devices 600-1 to 600-3 in a frequency (f) domain.
Additionally, f.sub.c indicates a frequency of a main carrier, and
f.sub.1, f.sub.2 and f.sub.3 indicate frequencies of
sub-carriers.
[0161] The source device 500 distributes the sub-carriers to the
target devices 600-1 to 600-3 using the FTDMA scheme. The FTDMA
scheme includes advantages of the above-described TDMA scheme and
the FDMA scheme.
[0162] Each of graphs 950-1, 950-2, and 950-3 of FIG. 9 represents
a signal transmitted from each of the target devices 600-1 to
600-3, respectively, to the source device 500, over time (t). As
illustrated in the graphs 940-1, 940-2, 940-3, 950-1, 950-2, and
950-3, a communication channel with the frequency f.sub.1 is
allocated to the target devices 600-1 and 600-2 in a time division
manner. The target device 600-1 transmits data to the source device
500 using the sub-carrier with the frequency f.sub.1 during a time
slot from time t.sub.1 to time t.sub.2. The target device 600-2
transmits data to the source device 500 using the sub-carrier with
the frequency f.sub.1 during a time slot from time t.sub.2 to time
t.sub.3. Additionally, a communication channel with the frequency
f.sub.2 is allocated to the target device 600-3. The target device
600-1, the target device 600-2, and the target device 600-3
transmits data to the source device 500 simultaneously without
colliding with each other.
[0163] Graphs 920 and 930 of FIG. 9 represent signals received by
the source device 500 over time (t). As illustrated in the graph
920, the source device 500 receives the data from the target
devices 600-1 and 600-2 through the sub-carrier with the frequency
f.sub.1. As illustrated in the graph 930, the source device 500
receives the data from the target device 600-3 through the
sub-carrier with the frequency f.sub.2.
[0164] For example, when the target devices 600-1 and 600-2
communicate with the source device 500 using the communication
channel with the frequency f.sub.1 in the TDMA scheme, the target
device 600-3 may be newly-connected to the source device 500. The
controller 530 (e.g., of FIG. 5) may allocate, to the third target
device 600-3, the communication channel with the frequency f.sub.2
that is not in use. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent data
from colliding between the target device 600-3 and the target
device 600-1 or 600-2.
[0165] In another example, when the target devices 600-1 and 600-3
communicate with the source device 500 using the communication
channel with the frequency f.sub.1 and a communication channel with
the frequency f.sub.2, respectively, in the FDMA scheme, the target
device 600-2 may be newly-connected to the source device 500.
However, the target device 600-2 may not use an available
communication channel with the frequency f.sub.3, due to, for
example, hardware constraints and/or other types of constraints.
The controller 530 may allocate the communication channel with the
frequency f.sub.1 to the target devices 600-1 and 600-2 in the time
division manner. The controller 530 may notify the target devices
600-1 and 600-2 of the allocation of the communication channel with
the frequency f.sub.1 in the time division manner, and of a time
slot in which the communication channel with the frequency f.sub.1
is available, through the data communication. To prevent data
collision, a predetermined time delay between a time slot in which
the target device 600-1 may use the communication channel with the
frequency f.sub.1 and a time slot in which the target device 600-2
may use the communication channel with the frequency f.sub.1, may
occur.
[0166] For efficiency in communication performance, the controller
530 may primarily use the FDMA scheme, and secondarily use the TDMA
scheme, to distribute communication channels to target devices.
Communication channels allocated using the FDMA scheme, the TDMA
scheme, and the FTDMA scheme, as described above, may be used when
each of the target devices transmits a data signal to a source
device, and when the source device transmits a data signal to the
target devices. When the controller 530 increases or reduces a
number of the communication channels adaptively, the number of the
communication channels allocated to the target devices in the time
division manner, or a number of sub-carriers, may be adjusted.
[0167] Additionally, the controller 530 may allocate a
communication channel (or a sub-carrier) to a predetermined target
device, for example, a target device with an ID of a predetermined
product. The predetermined target device may require a high
reliability. When the communication channel is allocated to the
predetermined target device, the controller 530 may change a
communication channel (or a sub-carrier) allocated to another
target device. In an example in which target devices to perform
data communication using pre-allocated communication channels
exist, when another target device with a high priority requests the
source device 500 to perform wireless power transmission and data
communication, the controller 530 may adjust allocation of the
communication channels or assignment of time slots with respect to
the existing target devices.
[0168] When near field communication (NFC) is performed by wireless
power transmission between the source device 500 and at least one
of the target devices 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3, the controller 530
may allocate at least one frequency channel to added target
devices, using different schemes depending on which one of
efficiency of wireless power transmission and communication
performance is considered to be important. In addition, the
communication channel allocation methods may be implemented in an
analog manner or a digital manner.
[0169] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a wireless channel
allocation method for data communication. Operations 1010 to 1085
of FIG. 10 may be performed by the source device 500 (e.g., of FIG.
5), namely, the controller 530, to allocate at least one
communication channel to at least one target device. In this
example, the term "receiver" refers to the target device 600 (e.g.,
of FIG. 6). Additionally, a communication channel refers to a
channel with a predetermined sub-carrier frequency. In the
following description, the term "communication channel" may be
replaced by the term "sub-carrier".
[0170] In operation 1010, the controller 530 waits to transmit
wireless power. In operation 1015, the controller 530 allocates a
predetermined frequency channel among frequency channels that may
be used by the source device 500. Each of the frequency channels
refers to a channel with a predetermined sub-carrier frequency. In
other words, the sub-carrier of FIGS. 5 to 9 may correspond to the
frequency channel of FIG. 10.
[0171] In operation 1020, the controller 530 generates a low-power
receiver detection signal, to detect a receiver enabling wireless
power transmission or data communication. The low-power receiver
detection signal may be generated by the signal generator 520
(e.g., of FIG. 5), under the control of the controller 530.
[0172] In operation 1025, the controller 530 transmits the
generated low-power receiver detection signal via the resonance
antenna 540 (e.g., of FIG. 5). For example, when the receiver
enabling wireless power transmission or data communication exists,
the receiver transmits data to the source device 500 in response to
the generated low-power receiver detection signal.
[0173] In operation 1030, the controller 530 determines whether a
receiver exists, based on whether the controller 530 receives a
signal (e.g., the data from the receiver) via the resonance antenna
540. The controller 530 detects a receiver based on information
generated by the current/voltage sensor 560 (e.g., of FIG. 5)
sensing a signal received via the resonance antenna 540.
[0174] When the receiver is determined not to exist, operation 1025
is re-performed. The controller 530 may repeatedly perform
operations 1025 and 1030 until a receiver is detected.
[0175] When the receiver is determined to exist, that is, when the
receiver is detected, operation 1035 is performed. In other words,
wireless power transmission to the detected receiver is
started.
[0176] In operation 1035, the controller 530 verifies a frequency
channel used by the detected receiver, and allocates the frequency
channel among the frequency channels. For example, when the
frequency channel allocated in operation 1015 is available to be
used by the detected receiver, the controller 530 performs data
communication with the detected receiver using the frequency
channel. In another example, when the frequency channel allocated
in 1015 is not available to be used by the detected receiver, the
controller 530 allocates, to the detected receiver, a frequency
channel that is available to be used by the detected receiver among
the frequency channels.
[0177] The frequency channel allocated to the detected receiver is
used by the detected receiver to transmit data to the source device
500. The controller 530 may notify the detected receiver of the
frequency channel allocated to the detected receiver, through the
data transmission from the source device 500 to the detected
receiver. The detected receiver performs the data communication
with the source device 500 using the frequency channel allocated to
the detected receiver.
[0178] In operation 1040, the controller 530 wirelessly transmits
power to the detected receiver via the resonance antenna 540. That
is, the controller 530 controls the PA 524 (e.g., of FIG. 5), and
generates the same amount of a power as an amount of a power
required by the detected receiver. The generated power is
wirelessly transmitted to the detected receiver via the resonance
antenna 540.
[0179] In operation 1050, 1052, 1054, and 1056, the controller 530
detects an added receiver while the power is wirelessly transmitted
to the detected receiver. In operation 1050, the controller 530
determines whether another receiver is added, based on whether the
controller 530 receives a signal via the resonance antenna 540. The
controller 530 detects the added receiver, based on the information
generated by the current/voltage sensor 560 sensing the signal
received via the resonance antenna 540. When the other receiver is
added, operation 1052 is performed. Otherwise, operation 1070 is
performed.
[0180] In operation 1052, the controller 530 determines whether all
of the at least one frequency channel is allocated. For example,
when a number of receivers is greater than a number of frequency
channels available to be used by the source device 500, all of the
frequency channels are respectively allocated to the receivers.
[0181] When all of the at least one frequency channel is determined
to be allocated, operation 1054 is performed. Additionally, when a
non-allocated frequency channel exists, but is not available to be
used by the added receiver, operation 1054 is performed. The
detected receiver and the added receiver share the at least one
frequency channel already allocated.
[0182] In operation 1054, the controller 530 distributes, to the
added receiver, one of the at least one allocated frequency channel
in a time axis. The distributing of the frequency channel is based
on time-division of the frequency channel. A predetermined
frequency channel may be selected from among the frequency
channels, and may be distributed to the added receiver.
[0183] Additionally, the controller 530 may notify the receiver to
which the frequency channel is allocated previously, of the
distribution of the frequency channel. The controller 530 may
transmit data associated with the distributing, to the detected
receiver and the added receiver via the resonance antenna 540.
[0184] When a frequency channel among the frequency channels is not
allocated, operation 1056 is performed. In operation 1056, the
controller 530 allocates the non-allocated frequency channel to the
added receiver.
[0185] In operation 1070, the controller 530 performs data
communication with receivers, for example, the detected receiver
and the added receiver, through the frequency channels respectively
allocated to the receivers. In operation 1075, the controller 530
determines whether a receiver is completely charged based on the
data communication with the receiver. When the receiver is
determined to be completely charged, operations 1080 and 1085 are
performed. Conversely, when the receiver is determined not to be
completely charged, operation 1040 is re-performed, that is, the
source device 500 continues to wirelessly transmit power to the
receiver.
[0186] In operation 1080, the controller 530 recovers a resource of
a frequency channel allocated to the completely-charged receiver.
The resource of the frequency channel may refer to the frequency
channel itself, or may refer to a time-divided frequency channel.
The recovered resource may be re-used for a newly-added
receiver.
[0187] In 1085, the controller 530 interrupts the wireless power
transmission to the completely-charged receiver. For example, when
a receiver that is not completely-charged remains, the controller
530 may interrupt the wireless power transmission corresponding to
a power required by the completely-charged receiver. The examples
described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 may be applied to
the example illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0188] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a data communication
method of a target device. Operations 1110 to 1150 of FIG. 11 may
be performed by the target device 600 (e.g., of FIG. 6) to perform
data communication with the source device 500 (e.g., of FIG.
5).
[0189] In operation 1110, the resonance antenna 610 (e.g., of FIG.
6) of the target device 600 receives a signal from the resonance
antenna 540 (e.g., of FIG. 5) of the source device 500. For
example, the resonance antenna 610 may receive a power/data signal
may be received from the source device 500. In the example of FIG.
11, the power/data signal refers to a received signal.
[0190] In operation 1120, the detector 650 (e.g., of FIG. 6) of the
target device 600 detects a signal, namely a data signal. To do
this, the detector 650 removes a main carrier from the received
signal to demodulate the received signal.
[0191] In operation 1130, the band-pass filter unit 660 (e.g., of
FIG. 6) of the target device 600 extracts a sub-carrier from the
demodulated signal. At least one received sub-carrier is extracted
from the demodulated signal, through band-pass filtering.
[0192] In operation 1140, the controller 668 (e.g., of FIG. 6) of
the target device 600 generates a data communication signal. To do
this, the controller 668 detects an envelope of the extracted
sub-carrier. The controller 668 recognizes data received from the
source device 500, based on logical values `1` and `0` in the
detected envelope. Based on a predetermined protocol and/or the
recognized data, the controller 668 generates data that is to be
transmitted to the source device 500. The generated data may
include the data transmitted from the source device 500 to the
target device 600. The controller 668 generates the data
communication signal including the generated data.
[0193] In operation 1150, the load modulator 670 (e.g., of FIG. 6)
of the target device 600 modulates a load of the target device 600.
To do this, the load modulator 670 modulates a signal transmitted
from the resonance antenna 610 to the source device 500, under the
control of the controller 668 using the data communication signal,
to transmit the generated data to the source device 500. The load
modulator 670 changes the load of the target device 600 to modulate
the transmitted signal. Additionally, the transmitted signal
includes at least one sub-carrier. The data is transmitted to the
source device 500 using the sub-carrier allocated to the target
device 600 among sub-carriers. The examples described herein with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 may be applied to the example
illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0194] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an electric vehicle
charging system. Referring to FIG. 12, an electric vehicle charging
system 1200 includes a source system 1210, a source resonator 1220,
a target resonator 1230, a target system 1240, and an electric
vehicle battery 1250.
[0195] The source system 1210 and the source resonator 1220 in the
electric vehicle charging system 1200 may function as a source.
Additionally, the target resonator 1230 and the target system 1240
in the electric vehicle charging system 1200 may function as a
target.
[0196] The source system 1210 may include an alternating
current-to-direct current (AC/DC) converter, a power detector, a
power converter, and a control/communication unit. The target
system 1240 may include a rectification unit, a DC-to-DC (DC/DC)
converter, a switch unit, a charging unit, and a
control/communication unit. The electric vehicle battery 1250 may
be charged by the target system 1240. The electric vehicle charging
system 1200 may use a resonant frequency in a band of a few
kilohertz (KHz) to tens of MHz.
[0197] The source system 1210 may generate power, based on a type
of charging vehicle, a capacity of a battery, and a charging state
of a battery, and may supply the generated power to the target
system 1240. The source system 1210 may control the source
resonator 1220 and the target resonator 1230 to be aligned. For
example, when the source resonator 1220 and the target resonator
1230 are not aligned, the controller of the source system 1210 may
transmit a message to the target system 1240, and may control
alignment between the source resonator 1220 and the target
resonator 1230.
[0198] For example, when the target resonator 1230 is not located
in a position enabling maximum magnetic resonance, the source
resonator 1220 and the target resonator 1230 may not be aligned.
When a vehicle does not stop accurately, the source system 1210 may
induce a position of the vehicle to be adjusted, and may control
the source resonator 1220 and the target resonator 1230 to be
aligned. The source system 1210 and the target system 1240 may
transmit or receive an ID of a vehicle, or may exchange various
messages, through communication.
[0199] The descriptions of FIGS. 1 through 11 may be applied to the
electric vehicle charging system 1200. However, the electric
vehicle charging system 1200 may use a resonant frequency in a band
of a few KHz to tens of MHz, and may transmit power that is equal
to or higher than tens of watts to charge the electric vehicle
battery 1250.
[0200] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a wireless power
transmission method of an electric vehicle. In FIG. 13, wireless
power transmission may be performed between electric vehicles.
[0201] A first electric vehicle 1310 may be operated in a power
transmission mode, and a second electric vehicle 1320 may be
operated in a power reception mode. The first electric vehicle 1310
may further include a source resonator 1330 operated in the power
transmission mode, and the second electric vehicle 1320 may further
include a target resonator 1340 operated in the power reception
mode.
[0202] Additionally, the wireless power transmission between the
first electric vehicle 1310 and the second electric vehicle 1320
may be performed via repeaters 1350 and 1360. The first electric
vehicle 1310 may perform the wireless power transmission using an
external power source, or using power used to charge a battery.
[0203] The units described herein may be implemented using hardware
components and software components. For example, the hardware
components may include microphones, amplifiers, band-pass filters,
audio to digital convertors, and processing devices. A processing
device may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or
special purpose computers, such as, for example, a processor, a
controller and an arithmetic logic unit, a digital signal
processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array, a
programmable logic unit, a microprocessor or any other device
capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined
manner. The processing device may run an operating system (OS) and
one or more software applications that run on the OS. The
processing device also may access, store, manipulate, process, and
create data in response to execution of the software. For purpose
of simplicity, the description of a processing device is used as
singular; however, one skilled in the art will appreciated that a
processing device may include multiple processing elements and
multiple types of processing elements. For example, a processing
device may include multiple processors or a processor and a
controller. In addition, different processing configurations are
possible, such a parallel processors.
[0204] The software may include a computer program, a piece of
code, an instruction, or some combination thereof, to independently
or collectively instruct or configure the processing device to
operate as desired. Software and data may be embodied permanently
or temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or
virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device, or in a
propagated signal wave capable of providing instructions or data to
or being interpreted by the processing device. The software also
may be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that
the software is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. For
example, the software and data may be stored by one or more
computer readable recording mediums. The computer readable
recording medium may include any data storage device that can store
data which can be thereafter read by a computer system or
processing device. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable
recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access
memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data
storage devices. Also, functional programs, codes, and code
segments to accomplish the examples disclosed herein can be easily
construed by programmers skilled in the art to which the examples
pertain based on and using the flow diagrams and block diagrams of
the figures and their corresponding descriptions as provided
herein.
[0205] As a non-exhaustive illustration only, a device described
herein may refer to mobile devices such as a cellular phone, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital camera, a portable game
console, and an MP3 player, a portable/personal multimedia player
(PMP), a handheld e-book, a portable laptop PC, a global
positioning system (GPS) navigation, a tablet, a sensor, and
devices such as a desktop PC, a high definition television (HDTV),
an optical disc player, a setup box, a home appliance, and the like
that are capable of wireless communication or network communication
consistent with that which is disclosed herein.
[0206] A number of examples have been described above.
Nevertheless, it should be understood that various modifications
may be made. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the
described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if
components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit
are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented
by other components or their equivalents. Accordingly, other
implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
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